6 Chapter Five

She let her claws tap against the wood of the chair, rocking her head from side to side, pretending to contemplate the question.

"Well," she drawled, "I'd like to start with what I'm allowed to do."

"Oh? No demands for release?" he questioned, raising a brow.

"I'm no fool," she replied, "I know you won't let me go. And I know I'm not yet strong enough to escape. So, I figured I'd learn what is expected of me, what I'm allowed to do, and what might happen, should I disobey."

"Well, if I'm going to be honest, I'm expecting an apology for you biting me," he replied.

"My sincerest apologies, my Lord," she said, mockingly dipping her head.

He grinned, "I knew I liked you for some reason."

Matching his grin, her tail waving, she met his gaze.

"I accept your apology," he said, offering her a hand, "Would you come closer, love?"

Her cautious eyes flicked to his hands, but she gave him a confident smile as she took his hand. Drawing her close to him, one of his hands sliding against her back, he looked her over. Not in a hungry way, no. Just... Curiosity.

"And what might you be thinking?" she asked, tilting her head.

"I'm thinking you've got something more than Demon and Fae in you," he replied, "Orange eyes don't really fit with either of them. And your skin is just a little too dark for a Fae, too light for a Demon."

"I hear my father was only half-Fae," she said, "No one quite knows what he is."

"No one ever forced it out of him?"

"It seems the inability to lie skipped a generation," she replied.

He nodded. Again looking her over, he suggested, "Maybe a little bit of werewolf?"

"It would explain the feral nature," she agreed.

"Half demon, fourth Fae, fourth Werewolf," he said, "Can you shift?"

"Not sure. And I won't know until I've settled, I'm told," she replied.

"And when will that be?"

"Oh," she said, debating the question, "Anywhere within the next three years, most likely."

He grinned. "Then I think I'd like to place a bet on what you'll shift into."

She lifted a brow. "Oh? And what might that be?"

"I'll bet you whatever you choose that you'll be a hellhound," he said.

She snorted, then chuckled. "Alright. We'll see about that."

"That we will," he agreed, amusement flashing in his eyes.

When her laughter faded, she said, "Alright, enough of that. Back to the topic at hand."

"What? Not going to ask me what I want if I win?" he asked.

She debated the question, studying the mischief in his eyes.

"Alright," she said, "What would you like."

"Two things, really," he said, "One, your father's full name, or as much of it that you know. Two, an oath to be mine."

She rolled her eyes. "If you could not tell, it seems I'm already stuck with being yours."

"Oh, you misunderstand," the king said, "I want a blood oath."

She stilled. Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step back and out of his arms.

"No," she said.

His grin widened. "Love, I'd ask you to reconsider."

"No," she replied. "My answer is no."

"I wouldn't treat you unfairly," he said.

"No."

"Love-,"

"I will not be your weapon."

He sighed, rolling his eyes. "I don't want a weapon out of you."

Her eyes narrowed further. "I am a mix of three of the most lethal races on this world. You think me so stupid as to believe that?"

"I do not want a weapon," he repeated.

"Then what do you want?" she questioned.

"That's for you to find out," he replied with a wink.

Oh, she did not look amused.

"I will promise you what I know of my father's full name," she said, "I will not promise you a blood oath."

He sighed, but caved. "Oh, alright. I suppose I can accept that."

She met his gaze, her eyes still narrowed.

"Yes?" he asked.

"What do you want from me?" she questioned.

"Your name would be nice," he replied.

She let out a low, warning growl.

"I am being nothing but truthful when I say I want your name," he said.

Her lips twitched back from her teeth.

"You wouldn't want me calling you love forever, now do you?" he said.

"Nemyria," she spat.

"Nemyria," he repeated, grinning, "It's quite beautiful."

"And your face won't be if you don't answer my question," she snarled back.

His smile just widened.

"You find me beautiful, then?"

She swung at him. Without missing a beat, he caught her wrist, swept her feet out from under her, caught her waist, and pinned her to the ground.

Nemyria blinked, stunned and mildly confused. She'd been standing a moment ago.

"I find," he said, "That I am not quite sure what I would like from you. Not fully, at least. I do, however, know that I would not mind to have you beneath me on a regular basis."

"Would you like to lose your favorite body part?" she replied.

He chuckled. Lowering his face a little closer to hers, he said, "I'm not in the business of forcing females, Nemyria. I am, however, in the business of finding myself a queen."

"I'm a bastard-born nobody," she said, "You should find yourself a female that might acutally be useful."

Again, that mischievous grin graced his lips. "You may not be able to lie, but I can tell you're hiding something from me, love. I'm going to find out who you are, and I have a feeling that someone is going to be very, very useful to me."

"I am no one," she said.

"I'm sure," he replied, not believing her at all, "To answer your question, I expect you to behave yourself. That means no running, no killing, no swearing, no fighting. Use some common sense. You will not leave the castle grounds without my permission and Gavrynn there to protect you, and you will return to this room every night. I will not harm you, but you'll find that I can find other ways of punishment, should you break any of these rules."

Her lips twitched back from her fangs, a growl rumbling in her throat.

"Now, that being said, as your... significant other, I suppose, I will protect you. I will never bite you, I will never allow any harm to come to you, and I will give you the best quality of life possible. If you want or need anything, let me know, and I'll do my best to get it for you," he said.

"I want you to get off of me," she said.

To her shock, he got off of her. He did, however, pull her up with him and drag her into his lap. His arms settled about her waist, and he smirked at the frown that slid onto her lips.

"Not what I meant," she said.

"We can go back to the floor, if you'd like," he offered.

"No," she said.

He held up his hands in defeat. Taking the opportunity, she made to back out of his hold. He quickly grabbed her waist, drew her closer, and locked his arms around her.

"Rude," she snorted.

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Rolling her eyes, she pushed him back.

"Listen," she said, "If you truly want this, then you and I are going to have to make a deal."

"I'm open to your requests," he replied.

"You, sir, need to give me just a little bit of space. I am not quite comfortable with this. Furthermore, you do not touch me without my permission. You do not kiss me, you do not hold me, you do not sleep beside me. You will listen to me if I have something to say, you will be completely honest with me, and you will get me a bed apart from your own," she said.

He nodded, filing the information away.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"Yes, actually. The hell is your name?" she questioned.

"Tiberius," he said, "But, if you want, you can call be either Toby or Tye."

She snorted. "You get Toby from Tobias, not Tiberius."

"Yes, well I prefer the way Toby sounds than the way Tye sounds," he replied.

Her lips quirked up into a smile, and he smirked as if he'd won. Rolling her eyes, she playfully shoved him.

"Oh, enough," she said, "Now let me up."

"But what if I want to hold you just a little longer?" he asked, leaning in to lay his forehead on hers.

"I said-,"

"I know, love, and I did not quite agree," he replied.

She frowned, narrowing her eyes. He sighed, backing away.

"Listen, when we are alone, I will give you your space. When we are in public, my people will expect me to be constantly touching you. So do not be surprised when I keep a hand on your back or press an occasional kiss to your forehead," he said.

Her frown deepened, but she nodded.

"I will give you everything else you asked, I promise, and I will give you more," he said, allowing her to get off of his lap.

She straightened, stretched, and turned to face him.

"Fine," she said, "We have a deal, then."

He smiled. "We have a deal, love."

"Stop calling me love," she said.

"Babe, then?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"Muffin?"

"No."

"My beloved?"

"Tiberius."

"Sunshine?"

"I'd prefer to be called my name," she replied.

"But Nemyria doesn't show you any affection," he mock complained.

"Maybe not, but it shows me that you respect me," she replied.

He paused, as if he hadn't thought of it. Then he nodded. "Alright. Nemyria it is. Maybe love here and there."

She again snorted, rolling her eyes, a smile quirking onto her lips.

"Alright, now shoo," she said, waving him off, "I'm tired, and you promised me a new bed."

"Of course, of course," he said, "Although, it is nearly mid-day."

"And I'm exhausted from walking up ninety bazillion stairs," she replied, shoving him toward the door.

He cackled, and he allowed her to guide him to the door, then shove him out of it.

"Don't come back without the means of a bed," she said, a slight, playful threat in her voice.

"I won't fail you, my beloved Nemyria," he said, skething a bow, "I'll bring you a bed worthy of legend."

With a laugh, she shut the door.